Method of and machine for registering and proving printing plates



June 1, ,1937. H. A. w. wooD 2 2,082,372

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. A. w. wooD 2,082,372

10 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1, 1937.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931 June 1,1937. H. A. w. WOOD METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 1, 1937; w W D 2,082,372

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931 10 Sheets-31166124 7947A we 765 x 'Q W M June I, 1937. H. A. w. wooD METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND- PROVING PRINTING PLATES 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed May 5, 1931 Ill-ll 4 'll E ////M/ fl RQNI NNN I F hmfi JNH $4 r I I. SN m: I W%/////////// r \NN 1| 1! 1 I v a MN &\ V P qwN I NHL I Q I 1/ w N June 1. 1937. H. A. w. WOOD 2,082,372

METHOD,OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 1, 1937. H. A. w. WOOD 2,082,372

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES 10 Sheets- Sheet, 7

Original Filed May 5, 1931 June 1, 1937. H. A. 'w. WOOD METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 144 4 E p 1 X Y fig MIN 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Iii" W June I, 1937. H. A. w. WOOD METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931- June 1, 1937. H. A. W. WooD 2,082,372

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTERING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Original Filed May 5, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 I i l l l I I llllllll fi/emn" "75,71 4 .7/213'6 7"004 Patented June I, 1937 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REGISTER- ING AND PROVING PRINTING PLATES Henry A. Wise Wood, New York, N. Y., assigncr to Wood Newspaper Machinery Corporation, k New York, N. Y a corporation oi Virginia Application May -5, 1931, Serial No. 535,165

Renewed August 18, 1936 34 Claims. (on. 1o1 1v4) .I'his invention relates to the printing of newspapers, or the like, in which the product is produced in a plurality of'colors.

It will be obvious that where a number cylinders are used, each having plates of a diiierent color from the plates on the other cylinders and these are all used to form imprints on the same page, the printing plates on the different cylinders must register properly with each other. Heretol0 fore it has been necessary, after the plates have been put on the press cylinder, to shift the plates about to obtain the proper register of the final product. This is a tedious and time-taking task and involves the printing of many proofs to see that the plates are finally in proper register.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus by which the plates are pre-registered and proved in a very simple manner and then easily and accurately placed on the printing cylinders in a position in which they will all register properly with each other, .thus eliminating the necessity of shifting the plates after they are put on the printing cylinders and while the whole press is idle.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide for the registering of printing plates by providing the plate cylinders of the printing press with fixed locating means for the plates, such as pins projecting therefrom, and before the plates are placed thereon, proving them on another machine by comparing their imprints with those of a key-plate which is placed on a cylinder and kept there in the same position, and when the other plates are brought to proper register with the key-plate, marking them, as for example, with v notches in their edges to be brought into engage- -ment with the said piiis when the plates are placed on the printing cylinder; to provide a proving and registering machine involving an impression cylinder located between a proving cylinder and a marking cylinder and adapted to run in cooperation with either or both, whereby the keyplate can be placed on the proving cylinder and impressions made on the impression cylinder from the key-plate, and the plate being registered until these impressions coincide so that at that time the plate being tested can be marked or notched to show its correct position on the printing p ate cylinder to which it is to be applied afterwards;

to provide the proving cylinder with inking means which can be withdrawn from engagement with it very easily and brought into contact with it with the same ease; to provide means for moving of ink cooperating with the marking cylinder, and

each one having an ink transferring roll readily movable into and out of contact with the marking cylinder; to provide means connected with the marking cylinder for shifting the plate, which is to be tested, circumferentially and longitudinally on said cylinder to register it with the key-plate; to provide means for driving the impression cylinder and the marking and proving cylinders accurately from thesame source of power; to provide improved means for locking up the plates on the marking cylinder so that they can be readily released for movement to get them into proper registration; to provide means of a simple and accurate character for making notches 'or marks in the edges of the plates on the marking cylinder; and to provide means for operating the plate clamps on the printing plate cylinder in proper relation to the locating pins thereon and having means by which they can be quickly clamped and released.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to-be had to the accompany drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side' view of a preferred form of the driving mechanism of the proving and registering machine;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the marking cylinder and the inking mechanisms therefor;

for the pick-up. roll and the adjustments for the pick-up roll and form roll;

Fig. 6 isan elevation, partly in section, on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the means for locking up and registering a plate on the marking cylinder and the mechanismior notching the plate;

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevations atright angles :to each other of a chisel shown inFig. 6 for notching the-plate;

Fig. 9 is an endview of said chisel;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a modified form of notching device;

Fig. 11 is an 'end view, as indicated by the arrow ii in Fig. 5, of the-adjusting device for the pick-up roll in any oi the inking mechanisms;

Fig. 121s a sectional view on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 5, of the means for adjusting the form roll to the pick-up roll;

Fig. 13 is a plan of the proving cylinder, showing the locating pins thereon; f

Fig. 14 is an end view of the impression cylinder, showing the grippers andfpaper stops;

Fig. 15 is a view of the gripper mechanism, taken as indicated by the arrow IS in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a radial sectional view of the printing plate cylinder of the printing press onwhich these proved plates are to be used, showing the manner of clamping the plates thereon;

Fig. 17 is a plan view, as indicated by the arrow H in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a plan of a printing press cylinder Fig. 21 is a view taken in the direction of the I arrow 2| in Fig. .16, showing the center clip;

Fig. 22 is a side view of one of the plate locking cams used in this form of the device, and

Fig. 23 is a view of the printing plate itself with the notches therein for locating it on the printing plate cylinder.

This invention is particularly applicable to newspaper color printing and is extremely useful where more than one set of color plates is used. The principal registering .means as set forth herein may be applied to color plates thatare manufactured by the electrotype process but it is designed particularly, and is especially advantageous, for stereotype plates, as each similar plate carries its characters in definite relationship to the barrels on the sides of the plate and the margins on the ends of the plate.

According to this invention, the plates are preregistered by placing a key-plate, say 'a black plate, in the registering machine, which is the subject of part of this invention, and setting it into approximately the desired position. Notches are cut in the edges of this plate, or the edges are marked, and it is transferred to a proving cylinder which is a part of the registering machine. On this machine is an impression cylin- 40 der and a marking or notching cylinder besides the'proving cylinder. The proving and marking cylinders are adapted to be inked and they are adapted also to be moved into contact with the impression cylinder which has a blanket as usual. The proving and marking cylinders are of the same size as the printing plate cylinder of the printing machine on which-these plates are to be used for printing and the impression cylinder is of twice that diameter.

The plates that are to be proved and registered, whether they are to be inked with black or other colored ink, are successively placed on this .marking cylinder where impressions are made from them and impressions made from the key-plate on the same sheet so that these impressions can be checked with respect to each other. Then the plate to be proved is adJusted on the marking cylinder until its imprint registers with theblack of the key-plate on the proving cylinder. When they have been adjusted so that the registration is perfect, they are marked' or notched on this marking cylinder.

In the preferred construction, notches are made on these plates in their curved edges and registering pins are fixed on the press cylinder in a position so that each one of these plates that has been notched can be placed on the press cylinder with the pins in the notches. Then all these plates of a series will be in exact registration with each other in the printing machine. Therefore their imprints on the web by the printing machine will be in registration and there will be no overlapping of the colors and no blank spots unless such are provided for in the design. This eliminates the juggling of the plates on the printing press cylinders and transfers that part of the usual operation to this registering machine where it is done at convenient times and does not delay the locating of the plates on the printing machine.

It will be seen therefore that if it is desired to register a red plate, a trial sheet will be passed under the black plate on the proving cylinder and then under the plate to be registered on the marking cylinder. The operator observes the result to see what must be done to make the red register with the black, which of course is fixed. Adjustments are made for moving the red plate circumferentially or longitudinally until the proper register is obtained. Several proofs may be made before the red plate is in the proper registering position. It is at this time that the red plate is notched and removed.

The impression cylinder is provided with two sets of grippers. On one set, a sheet is carried which is printed upon the front when the plates are in correct register so that when a final set' of plates has been notched, they can be put back on the notching cylinder one at a time and a complete proof carrying all the colors is obtainable on the registering machine. ous, therefore, that when these plates are transferred to the cylinders of the printing press and placed thereon with the pins of the plate cylinders thereof in the notches of their respective plates, the printing will be the same as this complete proof that has been obtained previously.

The registering and proving machine is mounted on a bed plate III which carries a frame-work involving a series of uprights H, of course, in pairs on both sides of the base, to support all the machinery involved. The machine embodies a central impression cylinder l2, a marking cylinder 13 and a proving cylinder I. As stated, the marking cylinder and proving cylinder are shown as of the same diameter as the printing cylinder on which the printing plates are finally to be placed for printing. Thus the semi-cylindrical plates fit these cylinders in the same way as they do the printing plate cylinder. The impression cylinder is twice the diameter for the other two cylinders.

The machine is run by a motor I! which, through a worm IE on its shaft, operates a gear II which is fixed with respect to the impression cylinder and mounted on the shaft l8 thereof and also is of the same diameter. At times, as will appear, a pair of gears l9 and 20 on the marking and proving cylinders mesh with this gear II to drive these latter cylinders.

On the shaft I8 is shown a bevel gear 2| meshingwith a bevel gear 22 on a vertical shaft 23 which, by bevel gears 24, drives a horizontal shaft 25 which extends throughout the length of the machine. On this shaft 25 are worms 26 which drive the several inking mechanisms as will appear.

The gears l9 and 20 are adjustably secured to the cylinders l3 and I4 respectively. This adJustment is secured by bolts 21 screwed into the hubs 29 of these two cylinders. A back-lash plate 28 is provided adjustably secured to the gear II or -20 of such a nature that lost motion may be eliminated.

The marking cylinder and proving cylinder are mounted'in eccentric bearings 30 so that they may be moved into or out of contact with the im It will be obvl-' pression cylinder. The mechanism comprises a 20 can be moved toward Y 30 registered on themotimismadeasainst 'aosaavs lever 82, which is oscillatably mounted' on a shaft 33 carried by the frame-work. The shaft has a handle 34 for operating this mechanism. These turn-buckle and handle arrangements are placed on each end of the machine so that the two eccentric bearings of either shaft will move in uni.-

son to bring the desired cylinder into contact with the impression cylinder.

The proving cylinder is provided with a pair of locating pins 35 placed in fixed position longitudinally in alignment on the cylinder andhaving preferably V-shaped angular sides both pointing inwardly toward each other so as to receive thereon between them this plate having previously been notched or marked on the marking cylinder.

v A pair of plate clamps 36 are provided for holding the plate on the cylinder, as indicated in Fig. 13.

The particular way of operating these plate clampsis not illustrated in detail because they each other after the plate is located on the pins and clamped in any usual or desired way. It will be understood that it is only half of the proving cylinder that is used, the other half not being employed, although of course the pins and clamps could be duplicated on the other half if desired but the two halves would not be "used simultaneously.

The marking cylinder i3 is provided with means for holding and clamping the plate to be a half of its circumference. It is provided with end plate clamps 31 and 38. The latter is pressed against the plate by a coil spring 39 and is withdrawn from the plate by. a rod 40 having a head adapted to pull the clamp back. 35 This rod is operated by a bell crank 4! having a roll 82 that is operated by a cam 43 on the hand lever M. The plate clamp 31 cooperates with a ,screw 45 entering the clamp and having a hand wheel 48 for operating it. A spring-pressed ball 40 4! constitutes a detent for fitting in a depression in the clamp. This furnishes the operator with some guide by which the first notch or mark can be located on the key-plate in approximately central location. By manipulation of the hand wheel 46, the end clamp 31 is directly operated back and forth but it is used to press the plate on the cylinder in a direction away from this end. The plate is moved back by the spring 39 when the screw is turned in the opposite direction. This affords adjustment to bring the plate into proper longitudinal position. As stated, this op eration may have to be performed several times to get the plate to be proved into registering position longitudinally.

For side register or circumferential adjustment, fingers 48 are provided on the cylinder it pro- Jecting outwardly in opposite directions into the' path of the straight edges of the plate. They are mounted on studs 49 and arms 50 extendfrom them fixed with respect to the fingers It so that they swing together on the studs. The two arms II are connected by a cross link ii which is provided with a notch 52 into which a bent spring I3 will settle when the parts are in the normal position. Thus when it is necessary to move the plates circumferentially a little to secure better register, this can be done by turning a hand wheel 64, whichisprovided with a pinion l5 meshing witharack" onalinkii whichissecurgto 70 the end of the shaft 48. Of course two of ese are provided, one on each side of the cylinder, and when motion of this kind is made,.the cross link 5i will have to move in one direction or the other. 'lhismovementisresistedbythespring Itsothat spring pressure. The

- and the marked with them and .ever, the notches and pins definitely locate them a and hold them while the notch is provided in the cross link ii at the proper place so that when the first plate is put on, it will be substantially in central position.

The proper procedure is to turn the hand wheel 54 until the notch and spring coincide so that certain of the registering operations will occur at a substantially central location. Of course to move the plate circumferentiallmthe end clamps have to be loosened up either by turning the hand wheel 46 or employing the lever N for that purpose. In this way it will be seen that for the process of trial and error in moving the plate to the proper position, simple adjustments are provided for moving the plate both circumferentially and longitudinally until accurate register is obtained.

When the plate on the cylinder adjusted and its imprint registers perfectly with the imprint on the black or key-plate on the proving cylinder, the plate being registered is marked or notched. This is accomplished by mechanism operated by a hand lever 59 which is connected by a link 60 with a cam 6! so as to move it, from the full line to the dotted line position in Fig. 6. This cam is not rotary but is mounted on studs 6? which pass through the frame. These studs are surrounded by springs 63 which normally hold the cam back in the full line position in Fig. 6. when it is moved over into the dotted line position, it is interposedin the path of a cam roller N. This cam roller is on an arm 93 fixed on a shaft 65 carried by the cylinder [3 and pivotally connected with it by arms 95 are two marking or notching chisels 66. The two chisels are arranged the same at both ends. Therefore, when the lever 59 is operated, at the proper time during the rotation of the shaft of the cylinder IS the plate held thereon will be notched in its opposite curved edges.

'Ihese notches are triangular, one as shown at 69 on the completed plate P in Fig. 23. These chisels or equivalent means may merely make a mark which can be used to register the plates against marks or pins on the printing plate cylinder.

The first plate or key-plate which is notched in this way is transferred to the proving cylinder and these notches are located on that cylinder by means of the pins 35 thereon. This plate is left on the proving cylinder as long as the Job lasts and thereafter the plates notched on the notching and marking cylinder are removed therefrom and placed on the printing plate cylinder which then come against locating pins 10 and .II on this cylinder. The pin II is doubleended so as to provide for locating two plates P and P on opposite sides. Instead of these pins, marks can be made on the printing plate cylinder color plates put on in registration clamped in that position. Howplates are being clamped. Thereforethe notching is preferred.

The impression cylinder l2 carries two of the usual press blankets. One end of each blanket is placed over a row of pins I3 and the other end of each blanket is wound up on a blanket tightener rod ll. Each blanket extends around a quarter of the impression cylinder and therefore each one may register with a plate extending around half of the marking cylinder or provingcylinder. The other two quarters of the impression cylinder are without a blanket. I

. The well known gripper for holding the sheet on the impression cy der is shown. As this is i3 is properly well known it requires no particular description .1

but briefly, a gripper finger I6 mounted on a shaft rangements are provided because the impression cylinder is arranged to print on two sheets on opposite quadrants. Small perforating pins 84 are provided for holding down the tail end of the sheet.

The operation of the gripper is accomplished in a well known manner by a lever pivota1ly mounted on a projection 86 above the bearing of the cylinder I 2. The lever 85 is pivotally attached to operating pins 81 so that oscillation of this lever causes one of these pins to project into the path of the cam 18 and the other to be withdrawn. The projecting pin operates the gripper cam I8 as usual.

By this means the rotation of the cylinder I2 rotates the gripper cam and its shaft in a counterclockwise direction to open the gripper when actuated by one of the pins 81 and in a clockwise direction to close the gripper at the proper time by the other pin 81. When the lever 85. is placed in a neutral position, neither pin operates. Then the sheet is carried around on the cylinder as desired or the cylinder can be rotated without any sheet.

A well known type of table and feeding arrangement is shown with a paper stop 9|. It will be understood that at the time the gripper is made to operate to pick up a sheet, the feeding arrangement that has positioned the sheet releases it so that it will be carried around the impression cylinder.

In accordance with what has been said it will be obvious that after each plate is properly adjusted on the marking cylinder, means'will be provided thereon for making the marks or notches that have been mentioned in the edges of the plate. For this purpose the cam 6| is operated from the full line position in Fig. 6 to the dotted line position and held that way by the handle 52 until the cylinder I3 has made a complete revolution or enough of a revolution to perform the desired functions. This interposes the cam I in the path of a cam roller '64. The continued rotation of the cylinder I3 causes this cam roller to ride up on the cam, moving the arm 83 and turning the shaft 65 on which this arm is located. On this shaft also are a pair of radial arms which pivotally carry a pair of chisels 06. The rocking of the shaft 85 will thrust these chisels radially outwardand, in the preferred form, they cut V-shaped notches in the opposite curved beveled edges of the plate. If desired, the chisels can be formed merely to make a registering mark at this point..

Another arrangement for making the V-shaped notches or marks is shown in Fig. 10. This involves a pair of racks 91 mounted on a reciprocating bar 08, one of the racks 91 operating directly a segment 90 which is mounted on a shaft and carries a cutter I00. On the opposite end the corresponding segment 09 and cutter I00 are shown and operated from the other rack 91 through an intermediate gear IOI. The motion of this bar 98 to the left drives both cutters through the opposite curved beveled edges of the plate. This motion can be accomplished by a cam, not shown, or in any other desired way.

As previously stated the marking or notching cylinder and proving cylinder are provided with printing plates and these plates are inked. For that purpose one inking mechanism is provided for the proving cylinder and a plurality of inking mechanisms for the marking cylinder, one for each color of ink to be used thereon so that the plates, after being proved, will not have to be cleaned before being used on the printing press. Each of these inking mechanisms is shown like the others and only one of them need I be described. Each one involves an ink fountain H03, having a pivot I04 by which the fountain back I05 is pivoted thereon. Each one, of course, carries a fountain blade I05 which is provided with springs I06 forcing it toward the fountain roll I01. The proper adjustment of the fountain blade I05 to allow the desired amount of ink to pass up between it and the fountain roll is regulated by a hand wheel I08. To this wheel is secured a worm I09 meshing with a worm wheel H0 secured to a shaft III rotatably mounted in the fountain back I05. Of course, there are two such worm wheels positioned essentially at each end of the fountain blade and meshing with the rack teeth II2 in the fountain blade so that to-and-fro motion may be provided.

A wing bolt II3 is provided for holding the fountain back secured against the fountain. When it is desired to clean out the fountain or any obstruction from beneath its blade, the

. movement of this wing bolt allows the blade I05 to swing around its supporting studs I04.

From the fountain roll I01 the ink, of course, passes in the usual way to a pick-up roll H4. The fountain roll is driven from one of the worms 26 through a worm wheel II5 which is directly on a shaft H6. The connection of the fountain roll shaft with the shaft IIG which drives it is made through a tongue and slot connection I 2I so'that the shaft II6 can be drawn out for repairs without taking the fountain roll out: of its bearings. The pick-up roll is mounted on a shaft III and is driven from the main cylinder I3 or I4 through gears I9 and 20 meshing with an idler II9 rotatably carried on a stud I20. This idler meshes with a gear I22 secured to the end of the pick-up roll shaft.

The pick-up roll shaft II! is mounted in adjustable eccentric bushings I25 carried by the and locked in position by a jam nut I20. The

rotation of the stud I20 through its square end,

rotates the eccentric pick-up roll bushings to adjust the setting of the pick-up roll in its relation to the fountain roll.

On the frames carrying the fountain is pivotally mounted a frame I30 made up of two arms which carry the form roll I3I in split bearings I32 fixed in position by thumb-screws and nuts I33 as usual. Rotatably mounted on the pickup roll bushing I25 is an eccentric bushing I34 which, through an adjusting worm I35 and its stud I36, may be rotated so that the form roll I3I will be adjusted to and from the pick-up roll II4. A look nut I3! is provided so that when the setting is properly made, the eccentric bushing I34 is locked and it oscillates as a unit with the arm or frame I30. This permits of the putting of the form roll into or out of engagement with the pick-up roll at all angular positions, as it rotates about its axis toward and from the plate cylinder.

The form roll I81 is pressed into contact with the plate through a spring 146 lying against a fixed lug I on the frame. The spring I46 is carried on a link I42 which is pivotally attached to the form roll frame I36 at one end and enclosing the eccentric strap I43 at the other end.

A nut E44 acts as a stop, limiting the upward in motion of the form roller, and also provides for adjustment for the proper contact of the form roll with the plate. The eccentric strap I43 surrounds an eccentric I45 which is secured to a cross shaft I46 mounted on the frame. An arm 15 I41 is secured to the shaft I46 and is connected by a link I46 with a foot lever I46. This foot lever is provided with two treadles I66 unopposite sides of the pivot on which the lever is pivoted.

when the operator presses on the right hand treadle I56 the eccentric I46 is rotated in such a way that the form roll I8I is pulled against the pressure 'of the spring I46, out of contact with the plate. This eccentric is so arranged 25 that it locks the form roll mechanism in this position by passing over the dead center. However, when it is desired to put the form roll III into contact with the plate, the operator presses on the left hand treadle I66, thereby rotating the eccentric I46 in the opposite direction. Thus the spring I46 is allowed and assisted to push the form roll I3I against the plate. A slot and stud connection III is used between the link I42 and the strap I48 to insure 35 that the adjustment of the form roll will be controlled by the nut I 44. This description applies to the inking mechanism for the proving cylinder and to the several inking mechanisms for the marking or notching cylinder.

As has been stated, the shaft 26 extending longitudinally through the machine drives the several fountain rolls through its worms 26. The bearings for the fountain rolls are constructed as is now usual so that they bear against the ends of the fountain rolls. Ink is prevented from being delivered up on theIountain rolls except at their peripheries and is prevented from working out of .the fountain through the fountain roll bearings in this way. On the right hand a seal I62 is secured to doubLv insure the con flnement of the ink. I

At this point it may be stated that the mechanism so far described constitutes the entire machine for registering and proving the plates, and the plates one after another are taken off the marking or notching cylinder with the desired colored ink upon them ready to be transferred to the printing press. It will be seen that these plates can be in the process of being prepared, while the printing press is running, and no time has to be taken out for the registering of the plates and only very little for placing them on the printing plate cylinders.

Figs. 16 to 22 inclusive show several ways in which the plates may be secured on the printing plate cylinders, on which they are to be used, withtheir notches 66 in registration with the pins 16 and 1I thereon. Of course. it will be obvious-that the plates may be clamped on the printing plate cylinders in any desired wayand,

in fact, in some of the ways that are in common -use. However, I have shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7 one way in which the plates may be clamped.

it being understood that they are registered.

75 almost instantaneously by the notches and pins.

.1 In these 'flgures a plate cylinder I64 is shown carrying amend piece I65 secured to it. In the end piece is mounted a short shaft I66 having pinned to a rod I66. This rod I66 passesinto a chamber under the plate to be put on the cylinder and to its end is pivotally attached a pivoted arm I 6|. The turning of the shaft I66 moves the rod A66 to the right in these figures and therefore swings this arm I6I. To .this arm is inturn secured a short shaft I62. This shaft also is pivotally mounted in a stationary holder I63 secured to the cylinder.- The shaft I62 has secured to it a gear I64 meshing with rack teeth I66 and I66 on two operating rods I61 and I68. These operating rods extend in opposite directions from the shaft I62 and their racks are arranged to engage opposite sides'of the gear I64. They are pivotally attached to a pair of oscillating clamp levers I68 and I16 respectively. These clamp levers are held under spring pressure against the opposite bevel edges of the plate P through a pair of operating springs "I and "2' and collars I18 on the rods I61 and I66. An additional extension arm I14 is pivotally attached to one end of the arm I6I and the other end is pivotally attached to a clamp lever I16. The clamp lever I16 is held under spring pressure against the beveled edge of an inside plate P'- by a mechanism similar to that described above.

It will be seen that the motion of the rod I66 to the right operates to release ail of the plateholdingmechanism used on the two plates on that end of the press plate cylinder. Of course, the inner side of the plate P is held by a center clip I16 and spring I11 and all this mechanism is repeated on the other end of the cylinder.

In this way it will be seen that the inside plate may be angled underneath the center clip I16 and pressed over so that it drops down over the registering'pins 1| and is thereby placed on the press in an easy manner which insures contact of the center clip and also insures a perfect x registration of the plate.

It will be understood, of course, that as many surfaces on the end clamp I86 and. the center clip III and force these clips back in opposition to the pressure of their springs until they release the plate.

In Fig. 20 the rod I63 is shown as provided with 5 a gear I86 and it is also provided with a square -on its end. When this square is turned by a wrench, the gear operates two gears I66 rotatably mounted on studs I61 on the end of the cylinder. These gears in turn cooperate with pinions I88 to rotate two other operating rods I66 in all respects similar to the operating rod I66.

In Fig. 18 the three rods are shown and the center clips I6I are arranged in staggered relationship in order toprovide sufiicient room for moving each center clip without providing excessive room between the clips.

The center clips I8I are shown as pressing against the inside plate while the two outer ones press against the inside bevel of the outside plate. In the middle arrangement the operating cam is placed in such a way that the clip is forced to the left when the plates are unlocked.

Each one of these cams i8 8, as shown in Fig. 22, is provided with a small fiat space I90 at top of the cam path so that when the clips are fully open the wrench may be taken off the square and of the central rod i 83 and, on account of this fiat space, there is no danger of the plates slipping into closed position on account of their springs.

A circular slot I9! is provided in one of the intermediate gears I86 to cooperate with a pin I92 fixed in the cylinder to limit the motion of the whole gear train. This prevents the operating mechanism from being rotated past the proper stopping position.

The illustrations herein presented show the locking of only half a plate but the additional mechanismfor locking the full plate with a single wrench could be provided in accordance with this invention.

It will be seen that the machine illustrated in the first fifteen figures provides means for registering the plates and proving them so that.

when the plates are to be put on the printing plate cylinder of the press, the press has to be stopped only a very short time and the entire registering is accomplished outside the printing machine. Plates Dre-registered and proved on the machine mentioned are almost instantaneously set on their printing plate cylinders absolutely in registering position.

Although I have illustrated and described a single form of the invention with only a few modifications thereof, I am aware of the fact that other modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited in this respect but what I do claim is:-

l. The method of registering printing plates to be used on the plate cylinder of a printing press, which comprises preliminarily printing from a plate to be registered on impressions made from a key plate, shifting the plate to be registered until the impressions from the two plates register, marking the edges of the plate to be registered, and locating said plate on the-plate cylingder of the printing press by said marks.

2. The method of registering and proving curved printing plates to be used on the plate cylinder of a printing press. which comprises printing on a sheet from a key printing plate, printing on the same sheet from a plate to'be registered and proved, shifting the second plate to bring it to a position in which its imprint will register with the imprint of the key plate. then notching the second plate and fixing it on the plate cylinder of the printing press with the notches in a definite predetermined position thereon.

3. The method of registering and proving curved printingplates to be used on the plate cylinder of a printing press. which comprises printing a plurality of times from a key printing plate, printing on the same sheets from a plate to be registered and proved. shifting the second plate between impressions to bring it to a position in which its imprint will register with of the printing press with the notches in registered position on the plate cylinder.

4. The method of registering and proving printing plates, which consists in mounting a key plate on a cylinder, mounting the plates to be registered, one at a time, on a second cylinder, inking the plates, rotating the cylinders to provide an impression first from the first plate and then, on the same area, from the plate on the second cylinder, shifting the second plate until the imprints from the two plates coincide, and then marking the plates, one after another on the second cylinder so that they can be put in definite positions on the plate cylinder of the printing press.

5. The method of registering and proving printing plates, which consists in mounting a key plate on a cylinder of the same diameter as the plate cylinder of the printing press on which the plates are to be used, mounting the plates to be registered, one at a time, on a second cylinder of the same size, inking the plates with inks of different colors, rotating the cylinders to pro- I vide an impression first from the first plate and then, on the same area, from the plate on the second cylinder, and repeating that operation, shifting the second plate between impressions until the imprints from the two plates coincide. and then marking the plates, one after another on the second cylinder so that they can be put in definite positions on the plate cylinder of the printing press.

6. In a machine for registering and proving printing plates, the combination of means for supporting a key plate and a plate to be registered, and means whereby impressions can be made from both plates on the same surface, so that the impressions from the plates can be compared, with means formarking the second plate when it is in registering position, for assistance in locating it on the plate cylinder of the press on which the plate is to be used.

7. In a machine for registering and proving printing plates, the combination of means by which the imprints from two plates can be made on the same sheet in order that one of said plates may be adjusted to bring the impressionsof the two plates into exact registration, means for holding the plate being registered in that position, and means for marking that plate so that it can be placed in a definite position on th printing plate cylinder.

8. In a machine for registering and proving printing plates, the combination of an impression cylinder, a marking and a proving cylinder.

both in printing contact with the impression cylinder. whereby imprints from two plates respectively on the marking and proving cylinders can be made on the same sheet on the impression cylinder in order that one of said plates may be adjusted by manual means to bring the impressions of the two plates into exact registration, means forholding the plate being registered in that position, and means for marking that plate so that it can be placed in a definite position for the purpose described.

9. In a machine for registering and proving printing plates to be inked with different colored inks. which plates are to be placed on cylinders of a printing press to print illustrations or the like in a, plurality of colors, the combination oi means for supporting one after another of the plates to be transferred to said press, meats for supporting in fixed position a key-plate, means by which the key-plate and any of the plates to be transferred to the printing plate cylinder can be made to make a series of impressions, whereby it can be determined whether the plate to be transferred is in proper registration with the key-plate, manual means for shifting each plate to be transferred until it is in register. and means for marking such plate at that time, whereby all such plates can be transferred to the printing machine and can be registered thereon by said marks in exact registration with each other for printing in colors.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an impression cylinder, a proving cylinder and a marking cylinder, means for inking a plate on the proving cylinder, means for inking a plate on the marking cylinder, and means whereby sheets can be fed into the machine in such a way as to receive an imprint from a plate on the proving cylinder and an imprint on the same area from a plate on the marking cylinder, whereby the latter plate can be adjusted and further impressions made to bring it into exact registration with the plate on the proving cylinder.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an impression cylinder, aproving cylinder and a marking cylinder, means for inking a plate on the proving cylinder, means for inking a plate on the marking cylinder, and means whereby sheets can be fed into the machine in such a way as to" receive an imprint from a plate on the proving cylinder and an imprint on the same area'from a plate on the marking cylinder, whereby the latter plate can be adjusted and further impressions made to bring it into exact registration with the plate on the proving cylinder, the proving cylinder and marking cylinder being of the same diameter and of the diameter of the printing plate on the cylinder to which the plates are to be transferred and the impression cylinder being of a diameter which is of multiple diameter.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a proving cylinder, a marking cylinder and an impression cylinder located between them, said proving cylinder and marking cylinder each being adapted to support a printing plate in substantially the same condition as it would be supported on the printing platecylinder of a press, manually operated means for moving either the proving cylinder or the marking cyl-- inder into printing contact-with the surface of the impression cylinder, and means for inking plates on the proving and marking cylinders, whereby impressions caribe made from plates on both of said cylinders on a sheet carried by the impression cylinder,

13. In a machine ofthe character described. the combination of a proving cylinder, a marking cylinder and an impression cylinder between them. with a blanket carried on the surface of the impression cylinder, means on the impression cylinder for holding a sheet thereon, means for inking the plates on the other two cylinders, and means for moving either of the other two cylinders. or both of them, into contact with the 'bla'nket on the impression cylinder, whereby imeffective surface of ,the impression cylinder, and

means for rotating all three cylinders from the. same source of power. f

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an impression cylinder located in fixed bearings, a proving cylinder on one side of it and a marking cylinder on the other side, the

proving cylinder and marking cylinder being mounted in eccentric bearings, and means for moving each of the last two named cylinders by their eccentric bearings into printing contact with the impression cylinder, for the purpose described. g

16. In a machine of the character. described, the combination of a proving cylinder and a marking cylinder, each of the same 'size and each of a size adapted to receive on half its circumference the printing plate to be used on a printing machine, a pair of pins located in fixed position on the proving cylinder to receive between them a printing plate previously provided with notches for engaging said pins, whereby the pins fix the position of the plate, means for clamping the-plate on said cylinder, the marking cylinder having means by which the plate can be shifted longitudinally and circumferentially to bring it into perfect registration with the plate on the proving cylinder; and means for providingv notches'in the edges of the plates on the marking cylinder; whereby all such plates registered thereon will be adapted to 1 impression cylinder for the purpose described, an

inking mechanism for the prbving cylinder, an inking mechanism for the marking cylinder, each inking mechanism comprising a form roll movably mounted, and means for moving said form rolls independently into and out of contact with their respective cylinders.

18. In a machine of the character described,

the combination of a proving cylinder, a marking cylinder and an impression cylinder located between them, means for moving either or both of the first-named cylinders into contact with the effective surface of the impression cylinder, means for rotating all three cylinders from the same source of power, an inking mechanism for a plate on the proving cylinder, and a plurality of inking mechanisms for plates on the marking cylinder, each of said inking mechanisms comprising a form roll movable into and out of contact with the plates on their respective cylinders and manually operable means for moving each form roll independently toward and'from its cylinder comprising means for holding the form roll away from it when moved to that position.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a cylinder adapted to carry a printing plate and an impression cylinder, of an inking mechanism for the printing plate comprising a form roll, means for supporting said form roll to swing about an axis-toward and from its cylinder, a spring for forcing the form roll toward the plate on the cylinder, at treadle connected for turning the form roll back and into such position that the spring'cannot move the form roll toward the, cylinden -20. In'a machine of the character described,

the combination of a cylinder adapted to carry a printing plate and an impression cylinder, of an inking mechanism for the printing plate comprising a fountain, a fountain roll, pick-up roll and form roll, means for supporting said form roll to swing about an axis toward and from its cylinder,

a link pivoted to the form roll supporting means,

a spring for forcing said link in a direction to apply the form roll to the plate on the cylinder, an eccentric connected with said link, a treadle connected with the eccentric for turning it to pull the form roll back and into such position that when it is pulled back it will be at dead center and the spring cannot move the form roll toward the cylinder.

21. In a cylinder for use in registering printing plates before they are placed on the plate cylinders of the printing press, the combination of means on the cylinder for moving the plates circumferentially with respect to the cylinder, and means on the cylinder for moving the plates longitudinally for registering purposes.

22. In a cylinder for registering printing plates, the combination of a pair of plate-holding levers engaging the opposite straight edges of a semicylindrical printing plate on the cylinder, and

means for simultaneously movingsaid levers to' shift the plate eircumferentially on the cylinder for registering purposes.

23. In a cylinder for registering printing plates before they are applied to their printing cylinder, the combination of a pair of levers for engaging the straight edges of the plates, both of said levers being pivoted, and a bar connected with said levers by which both levers can be turned in a direction to shift the printing plate one way or the other around the cylinder.

24. In a cylinder for registering printing plates before they are applied to their printing cylinder, the combination of a pair of levers for engaging the straight edges of the plates, both of said levers being pivoted, a bar connected with said levers by which both levers can be turned in a direction to shift the printing plate one way or the other around the cylinder, said bar having a notch, and

a spring adapted to engage in said notch for providing a means for normally holding the levers in substantially central position.

25. In a cylinder for registering printing plates before they are applied to their printing cylinder, the combination of apair of levers for engaging the straight edges of the plates, both of said levers being pivoted, a bar connected with said levers by which both levers can be turned in a direction to shift the printing plate one way or plates longitudinally, means for shifting the plates circumferentiallv, and means for marking the edges of the plates when the plates are finally secured in the desired position.

27. In a cylinder for use in registering printing plates, the combination of means for shifting the plates longitudinally, -means for shifting the plates circumferentially, and means whereby when the plates are finally secured in the desired position their edges can be marked, said means comprising marking or notching chisels carried within the cylinder and adapted to be projected against or through the beveled curved edges of ihe'plate, a shaft in the cylinder, means on the shaft for moving said chisels radially, and means whereby as the cylinder turns, said shaft will be turned to project the chisels.

28. The combination with a cylinder for registering printing plates, a cam movable along the shaft of said cylinder, means for normally holding the cam retracted, means for projecting the cam, a shaft carried by the cylinder having an arm, provided with a roller in position to be engaged by said cam once during each rotation of the cylinder when the cam is projected, whereby the shaft will be oscillated, and notching chisels carried by said shaft and adapted to be projected through the curved beveled edges of .a plate held on the cylinder when the cam turns said shafts.

29. In a cylinder for registering printing plates, the combination of means for holdin the straight edges of the plates and a pair of clamps for holding the curved edges of the plates, positive means for moving one of said clamps, yielding means pressing on the otherv clamp so as to hold the plate against the firstnamed clamp, and hand-operated means for withdrawing the spring-pressed clamp to free the plate.

30. In a cylinder for registering printing plates, the combination of a. pair of shafts on the cylinder, a cutter projecting from each shaft for the purpose of making a notch in the edge of the plate, a gear segment on each shaft, 9. reciprocable bar on the plate having two racks thereon, one meshing with the segment on one side and a gear meshing with the segment on the other side and also with the other rack on the bar.

31. The method of registering curved printing plates on a plate cylinder, which consists in proving the plates by comparison of their respective imprints, placing the plates successively on the cylinder with locating provisions on the plates registering with fixed locating provisions on the cylinder so as to locate said plates accurately in the same place on the cylinder.

32. A method of registering curved printing plates to be used on the plate cylinder of a printing press which comprises preliminary mounting of the plate on a preregistering marking cylinder, shifting the plate to be registered until it registers with an impression previously made, notching the plate. rigidly locating the plate by cooperation of said notches with fixed locating provisions on the plate cylinder of the printing press, and clamping the curved edges of the plate.

33. A method of registering curved printing plates to be used on the plate cylinder of a printing press which comprises preliminary mounting of the plate on a preregistering cylinder, shifting the plate to be registered until it registers with preset registering means, machining the plate to provide locating surfaces, locating the plate on the printing cylinder by means of these machined surfaces, and clamping the curved edges of the plate.

HENRY A. WISE WOOD. 

